EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Mom isn’t at her usual spot, in a vanilla recliner, at the fireplace hearth, to read dozens of articles. So, I assumed that she’s having an early bed rest. 

 

I went to the empty kitchen to check if Mom cooked supper before taking slumber. Gladly, I found a butternut squash soup in a pot, still burned up. I scooped up some generous amount into a bowl and ensconced myself in mom’s best-loves spot. 

 

  I can still feel Liam's grasp long after. How the world slowed down for a second. 

 

I buried my face on the pillow beside me to release the overwhelming emotion swelling up.   

 

I might go mad crazy tonight. I'll barrage Blake and Ashton's inboxes with the indescribable feeling that I had. Cut the rug all night long. Might swig few glasses of champagnes since mom is already sleeping. Didn't care if I wake up tomorrow having a hangover. 

 

Feels like a fever dream and I don't want to wake up from it. 

 

Welp. 

 

Then, the scariest thing had happened the next day. I overslept and missed the only subject that I had today. I woke up in the living room with a tired disposition and heavy head that might be a sign of unrestricted binging last night. 

 

I attempted to stand up but it took me a long time to get the hang of my limp legs. 

 

It was utterly odd that Mom didn't bother to rouse me since her job is an hour earlier than my class today. 

 

So, I tramped myself onto her room to check if she's still feeling unwell. 

 

I saw her swathed in layers of quilt and eyes still shuttered in the meridian of the day. 

 

I checked her temperature only to realize how high it is. 

 

Good gracious! 

 

I hurriedly pampered myself a little bit. I brushed my teeth to eliminate the reeking smell of alcohol coming from my mouth and grabbed three cans of iced coffee and smuggled it in my bag. I've also broke in with some sunglasses that I wore at last summer escapade. 

 

How could this day get any worse? 

 

l revved up my car, with mom reposed on the back seat. 

 

I tried to sober up on the drive down guzzling cans of iced-coffee when mom weakly said, 

 

" Why aren't you in school, honey?" 

 

"Really mom? Now's not the right time to ask me about school stuff. You're burning up!" 

 

After all that little conversation, she'd gone back to her deep slumber as I burned rubber and was anxiously beeping at the cars in front of me pleading to give an opening since it's an emergency. 

 

We arrived at the town hospital to visit Mom's primary physician. I gave the doctor a heads up and she told me that it's nothing serious to be upset about. 

 

She sternly advised mom to take another day-off tomorrow, in which she half-heartedly agreed. 

 

If I were also in her shoe, I would work so hard to save for the rainy days, but is it really necessary to overwork yourself?   

 

I just feel like she's drowning herself in work, not for the sake of earning, but to forget. Forget the inconstant man who broke her heart into a million pieces. 

 

As we navigated ourselves to the hospital's parking lot, I saw Liam walking with a fruit basket and white rose posies in either of his hands. It looks like he just got out of school since he's still in his uniform. I wanted to greet him but he looks occupied.   

 

I don't want to pry myself and not to look madly desperate, which I already am. 

 

Who is he visiting?   

 

A sick family member? his best friend? or a girl from his class that he had a sexual relationship with? 

 

Golly. I hate my brain. I'm getting paranoid.  

 

Maybe he didn't recognize me from afar as much as I do recognize him, because of the googly sunglasses that I had to wear that completely hid my distinct facial features. 

 

I love how his pretty face upgraded the hackneyed corners of the hospital and how his black hair remains unkempt despite the windy weather outside.   

 

We drove back homeward without a hitch and I nursed mom as soon as she retired once again in her bed. I practically demanded her to call me up whenever she needed something, from going to the comfort room or just asking for about anything. 

 

I still feel lethargic after all this time so I prepared my own version of tomato soup and baked some brioche for something to sod up with it. 

 

I was too zoned out in slicing the onion when the doorbell buzzed thrice. In my head, I think it's my open-toe shoe that I ordered online since I had an extra savings from my summer job at Everest Peak. 

 

No need for a touch up to cover up my sluggish, frail facade. 

 

The disinterested face of mine turned into a snarly one when the mystery guy showed up by the door. 

 

" Liam, what are you doing here?" I said with a panicking tone. 

 

He handed over to what seems a store-bought soup in a plastic packaging.   

 

"I thought I saw you and your mom at the hospital earlier so I brought something warm," he retorted. 

 

I got goosebumps and I didn't realize that I was already fiddling my hair, with my eyes fixed on Liam and afterglow on the background. 

 

"How did you know my address?" I asked. 

 

"You posted, like almost your biography on I***a," he said laughing. 

 

I compensated with a fake laugh that looks so gauche that I just wanted to cave in in embarrassment. Butterflies in my stomach started to flutter as I reached out for the soup. This day would forever be tattooed in my mind. 

 

I liked to rebound myself by offering him a cup of tea before leaving the premises, probably disenchanted. 

 

"Would you like to go inside first before fleeing?" I nervously insisted. 

 

I was so opposed to that idea that I can feel my stomach tied in knots. Firstly because, I was devoid of grandiose preparation to look like human in front of Liam. Secondly, the living room looks like it's been maimed by a giant whirlwind from a chaotic force, which is me. 

 

The fool that I am ended up as the clown of the town when he said yes to my indecent proposal.